Telescopic umbrella

ABSTRACT

A telescopic umbrella, such as a sunshade, that includes a lower upright stand pipe and a telescopic pipe arranged in a displaceable and arrestable manner therein. The telescopic umbrella also includes a canopy articulated on the telescopic pipe, it being possible for the canopy to be opened and closed by means of a sheathed cable or Bowden control running within the telescopic pipe and controlled by a control device. The control device is attached to the telescopic pipe so that the opening/closing movement of the umbrella canopy is uncoupled from the telescopic mechanism of the umbrella.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation of International ApplicationNo. PCT/DE2006/000915, filed May 26, 2006, and which designates the U.S.The disclosure of the referenced application is incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a telescopic umbrella, in particular a sunshadewith a lower upright stand pipe and a moveable and lockable telescopicpipe arranged in it with an umbrella canopy attached to the telescopicpipe, where the umbrella canopy can be opened and closed by means of asheathed cable or Bowden control arranged within the pipe and with acontrol device for the sheathed cable or Bowden control.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Telescopic umbrellas of the type in hand are known from prior practice.The control device for the sheathed cable or Bowden control of theseumbrellas generally consists of a crank handle provided in the lowerregion of upright stand pipe or on the support base which is connectedto the upright stand pipe.

To be able to use the known telescopic umbrella, it first needs to betelescoped to the desired length by pulling out or inserting thetelescopic pipe into the upright stand pipe. Then the telescopic pipe islocked by means of a suitable locking device with respect to the uprightstand pipe. The umbrella canopy can then be opened by means of thecontrol device, which is usually a crank handle.

However, telescopic umbrellas known from prior art have severaldisadvantages. Firstly, the position of the telescopic pipe with respectto the upright pipe after opening the umbrella canopy can no longer bechanged without first closing the umbrella canopy again. This is due tothe fact that the sheathed cable or Bowden control in the knowntelescopic umbrella extends from the control device arranged in theupright stand pipe or the support base to the umbrella canopy. When theumbrella canopy is opened, the sheathed cable/Bowden control istensioned. If you wish to lower the position of the telescopic pipe,i.e., by inserting it into the upright stand pipe, the umbrella canopyautomatically folds because the tension of the sheathed cable/Bowdencontrol is lost.

In the known telescopic umbrella, the extension of the telescopic pipewith respect to the upright stand pipe is not possible at all when theumbrella canopy is open, because the tension of the sheathedcable/Bowden control resists the extension movement.

In addition, the fact that the sheathed cable/Bowden control cangradually be worn through as a result of the sharp-edged transitionbetween the telescopic pipe and the upright stand pipe by fraying andultimately tearing is problematic with respect to the known telescopicumbrella.

Another disadvantage is that the sheathed cable/Bowden control in theknown telescopic umbrella can interfere with the locking mechanism forthe telescopic pipe, resulting in identical adverse consequences interms of the durability of the sheathed cable/Bowden control.

Finally, another disadvantage is that the control device for thesheathed cable/Bowden control arranged in the upright stand pipe hindersthe movement of the telescopic pipe within the upright stand pipe; as aresult, it may be possible that the telescopic pipe can only be insertedinto the upright stand pipe at a fraction of its length. Consequently,the variability of the length of the known telescopic umbrella islimited, requiring more storage space when if the telescopic pipe isinserted as far as possible.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to design and furtherdevelop a telescopic umbrella of the type mentioned above in such a wayas to achieve the uncoupling of the opening/closing movement of theumbrella canopy from the length of the umbrella and to improve thedurability of the umbrella.

Based on the invention, the objective mentioned above and others areachieved by providing a telescopic umbrella, such as a sunshade, thatcomprises a lower upright stand pipe and a moveable and lockabletelescopic pipe arranged in it, an umbrella canopy joined to thetelescopic pipe, the umbrella canopy being configured to be opened orclosed by means of a sheathed cable or Bowden control located inside thepipes, and a control device for the sheathed cable or Bowden control,wherein the control device is attached to the telescopic pipe.Accordingly, a telescopic umbrella of the type mentioned above ischaracterized in that the control device is attached to the telescopicpipe.

Based on the invention, it was recognized that the opening/closingmovement of the umbrella canopy can be uncoupled from the telescopicmechanism of the umbrella if the control device for the sheathedcable/Bowden control is attached directly to the telescopic pipe. Thisway the distance between the control device and umbrella canopy alwaysremains constant. Consequently, it is irrelevant for the opening/closingmovement of the umbrella canopy how far the telescopic pipe is insertedinto the upright stand pipe or how far it is pulled out of the uprightstand pipe. This is a particularly advantageous way to achieve that thelength of the umbrella can be changed arbitrarily even when the umbrellacanopy is open, without interfering with the opening mechanism of theumbrella canopy.

In addition, it was determined that the telescopic pipe can now beinserted much farther into the upright stand pipe than before because ofthe omission of the control device on the upright stand pipe. As aresult, the length of the telescopic umbrella according to the inventionis more flexible and requires less storage space in the inserted state.

Finally, it was determined that fraying, damage or tearing of thesheathed cable/Bowden control due to interference with the sharp-edgedtransition between the telescopic and upright stand pipe or the lockingdevice of the telescopic pie can be prevented, because the sheathedcable/Bowden control now runs completely inside the telescopic pie.

Consequently, a telescopic umbrella is described in which the uncouplingof the opening/closing movement of the umbrella canopy from the lengthof the umbrella and improved durability of the umbrella are achieved.

In order to enable the user to operate the control device allocated tothe telescopic pipe and to prevent it from colliding with the uprightstand pipe when the telescopic pipe is inserted and extended, a suitablerecess is provided in the upright stand pipe in which the control deviceallocated to the telescopic pipe can be moved in an axial direction.

Generally, an embodiment of the invention is preferred in which thecontrol device is allocated at the lower end of the telescopic pipe.This way, the control device is particularly well accessible to theuser. In addition, no boreholes/openings in the telescopic pipe arerequired for this design because the control device can be connecteddirectly to the lower end of the telescopic pipe.

A connecting piece is arranged between the telescopic pipe and thecontrol device in one of the further developments of the invention. As aresult, the control device is located away from the telescopic pipeitself and is operable more comfortably as a result. Compared to theactual control device, the connecting piece can be designed smaller,whereby the size of the recess provided in the upright stand pipe can bereduced as well.

Moreover, the connecting piece (connected to the lower end of thetelescopic pipe) and/or the telescopic pipe itself can be arranged inthe upright stand pipe with a rolling bearing. This achieves theparticularly easy extension and insertion of the telescopic pipe fromand into the upright stand pipe. Alternatively, several rolling bearingscan be provided across the length of the telescopic pipe. In addition,it is possible to mount a rolling bearing on the connecting piece and todistribute one or more rolling bearings across the length of thetelescopic pipe which is closed upwards.

In a further development of the invention, the connecting piece isdesigned in an L-shape. This provides a particularly preferableconnection between the telescopic pipe extending axially with thecontrol device attached in radial direction.

Moreover, it is possible that the connecting piece comprises a reversingunit for the sheathed cable/Bowden control. This reversing unit reversesthe sheathed cable/Bowden control radially extending from the controldevice to the telescopic pipe into an axial direction (along thelongitudinal axis of the telescopic pipe). The reversing unit canconsist, for example, of a ball-bearing roll or a synthetic or metal pinwhich reduces the friction with the sheathed cable/Bowden control asmuch as possible.

As mentioned above, a recess in the upright stand pipe should beprovided to realize the invention, in which the control device or theconnecting piece including the moveable telescopic pipe extending alongthe outside of the upright stand pipe can be moved in an axialdirection. In a particularly preferred embodiment, an axially extendingslit is provided in the upright stand pipe for this purpose. The widthof the slit should be as small as possible to prevent the negativeimpact on the upright stand pipe or the umbrella.

Conventionally, the control device may comprise a crank shaft. In analternative embodiment of the invention, the control device may alsocomprise an electrically driven reeling/unreeling device for thesheathed cable/Bowden control. For this purpose, other solutions arealso possible, provided the reeling/unreeling of the sheathedcable/Bowden control at the user's preference can be achieved.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the uprightstand pipe and the telescopic pipe comprise a curvature, where thecurvature of both pipes is approximately the same. The curvature can bedesigned in such a way that a vertical course of the pipes is realizedin the base area of the umbrella, while the telescopic pipe in extendedstatus comprises a horizontal tangent in the area of the umbrellacanopy. This allows the design of the umbrella as a so-called “suspendedumbrella,” where the umbrella canopy is suspended from the telescopicpipe like a gallows. The arch-shaped design of the telescopic andupright stand pipe creates the required space to unfold the umbrellacanopy. In addition, a particularly preferable advantage of thisembodiment is that the locked umbrella canopy with respect to thetelescopic pipe can be tilted in a particularly easy way if thetelescopic pipe is inserted into or extended out of the upright standpipe while the umbrella canopy is open. This option is not available inthe umbrellas known from prior art, because the telescopic mechanismcollides with the opening movement of the umbrella canopy.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the umbrella canopy isjoined at the upper end of the telescopic pipe. Utmost flexibility ofthe length of the umbrella is herewith achieved. In addition—with thedesign of the umbrella as a suspended umbrella with circular uprightstand and telescopic pipe—the largest possible distance of the umbrellacanopy from the telescopic/upright stand pipe is achieved. As a result,the umbrella canopy can be designed with a maximum size.

In a preferred embodiment, the umbrella canopy is jointed to thetelescopic pipe with its top side. The suspended or traffic light poleumbrella mentioned above is realized this way. However, in analternative embodiment it is also possible that the underside of theumbrella canopy is joined to the telescopic pipe.

In a further development of the invention, the tilt of the umbrellacanopy can be adjusted and locked in the area of the joint between theumbrella canopy and the telescopic pipe. For example, the umbrellacanopy can be connected to the telescopic pipe with a lockable joint.This possibility to adjust the tilt of the umbrella canopy can berealized alternatively or additionally to the option described abovewith the insertion or extension of the telescopic pipe.

In an additional embodiment of the invention the telescopic pipe can belocked with respect to the upright stand pipe by means of an engagingelement.

This engaging element can comprise, e.g., a pin.

In a preferred embodiment, the engaging element is provided on theupright stand pipe in axial direction and can be engaged with thetelescopic pipe though an opening in the upright stand pipe. For thispurpose, the telescopic pipe may be equipped, e.g., with boreholes atcertain intervals which the engaging element can engage with. Theprovision of the engaging element in the axial direction of the uprightstand pipe establishes a connection between the telescopic and uprightstand pipe when the telescopic pipe is engaged.

In another embodiment, the engaging element can be engaged with ordisengaged from the telescopic pipe via a handle by means of a screwingmovement and/or with the application of radial pull/pressure withrespect to the upright stand pipe, against the force of a spring, ifapplicable. For example, it is possible that the engaging element/thepin are connected to a nut with the approximate size of the palm of ahand, e.g., made of plastic. This user-friendly nut extends to anexterior thread with a smaller diameter which engages with an interiorthread within the borehole in the upright stand pipe. The engagingelement or the pin is connected to the exterior thread in the directionof the inside of the pipe. As a result, the engaging element can beengaged with the telescopic pipe by means of unscrewing and screwing onof the user-friendly nut. In addition, it is possible that a spring isprovided in addition to the thread, where an elastic force needs to beovercome after unscrewing the nut to be able to pull the engagingelement out of the telescopic pipe. Accordingly, the nut not only needsto be unscrewed, but the user is required to pull on the nut to unlockthe telescopic pipe. This further development achieves a particularlysafe use of the umbrella according to the invention.

In an additional embodiment, the telescopic pipe not only comprisesboreholes arranged at certain intervals, but it is equipped with gearcutting, in particular a saw-toothed pattern on the side facing theengaging element. The engaging element can engage the saw teeth asdescribed above and lock the telescopic pipe. By selecting acorresponding distribution of the gear cutting, it is possible to adjustthe length of the umbrella in a particularly fine-tuned manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The inventive device will be described in more detail hereinbelow withthe aid of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive apparatus, withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a partially cut lateral view of an embodiment of thetelescopic umbrella according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the same embodiment of the telescopicumbrella, where the umbrella canopy is opened and tilted toward thehorizontal plane, and

FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic view of the embodiment of the umbrellaaccording to the invention, illustrating the variability of the umbrellamade possible by the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a partially cut lateral view of a preferred embodiment ofthe telescopic umbrella according to the invention. The umbrellacomprises a lower upright stand pipe 1 and a telescopic pipe 2 which canbe moved and locked in the upright stand pipe. An umbrella canopy 3 isjoined to the telescopic pipe 2. In this embodiment, both the uprightstand pipe 1 as well as the telescopic pipe 2 comprise a curvature,making it possible to suspend the umbrella canopy 3 from the upper endof the telescopic pipe 2. This provides the greatest possible distancebetween the upright stand pipe or the supporting base from the areashaded by the umbrella canopy 3.

The umbrella canopy 3 can be opened and closed by means of a sheathedcable/Bowden control 4. For this purpose, the sheathed cable/Bowdencontrol 4 is connected to a control device and can be operated with it.In the embodiment shown, the control device 5 is designed as a crankshaft 6.

Based on the invention, the control device 5 is allocated to thetelescopic pipe 2. In this embodiment, the control device 5 is attachedto the lower end of the telescopic pipe 2, where an L-shaped connectingpiece 7 is arranged between the control device 5 and the telescopic pipe2. This connecting piece 7 establishes a connection between the openlower end of the telescopic pipe 2 and the control device 5 locatedoutside the pipe.

The long leg of the connecting piece 7 extending into the telescopicpipe 2 is additionally equipped with a rolling bearing 8, thus achievinga particularly easy insertion and extension of the telescopic pipe 2into and out of the upright stand pipe 1.

In addition, the L-shaped connecting piece 7 comprises a reversing unit9 for the sheathed cable/Bowden control 4. This way, the sheathedcable/Bowden control 4 can be reversed from the control device 5 with aradial distance to the axial direction of the pipe, namely by keepingthe friction losses as small as possible. For this purpose, thereversing unit 9 can comprise, e.g., a (ball-bearing) roll or a metal orsynthetic pin with small superficial friction.

The enlarged detail view in the center of the figure shows the mechanicsfor locking the telescopic pipe 2 in the upright stand pipe 1 inaddition to the control device 5 and the connecting piece 7. For thispurpose, an engaging element 10 is provided which can engage one or moreteeth 12 through an opening 11 in the upright stand pipe 1. The teeth 12are located on the side of the telescopic pipe 2 facing the engagingelement 10. In the embodiment shown, the teeth 12 comprise a saw-toothedpattern.

At the discretion of the user, the engaging element 10 can be engaged ordisengaged from the teeth 12 by means of a handle 13. For this purpose,the handle 13 needs to be pulled away from the upright stand pipe 1 inan axial direction against the force of a spring 14. Thus, the engagingelement 10 is removed from the teeth 12 and the telescopic pipe 2 can bemoved within the upright stand pipe 1.

In addition, it is possible that the opening 11 in the upright standpipe 1 comprises a thread and the handle 13 needs to be unscrewed with ascrewing motion, whereupon in can be pulled out after overcoming anelastic force. This further development makes the locking function evensafer.

FIG. 2 shows a back view of the umbrella according to the inventionshown in FIG. 1. The telescopic pipe 2 is not completely pulled out ofthe upright stand pipe 1, resulting in a horizontal tilt of the openumbrella canopy 3.

In this illustration, it can be seen particularly well how the controldevice 5 and the connecting piece 7 are moveable and displaceable in asuitably designed recess 15 provided in the upright stand pipe 1. In theillustrated embodiment, this recess 15 has the shape of a long, axialslit. The slit must be at least as wide as the connecting piece 7 inorder to enable the control unit 5 including the connecting piece 7 tomove up and down in an axial direction in the slit.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic lateral view of the embodiment of thetelescopic umbrella according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.2. This illustration highlights the special variability of the umbrellaachieved with the invention. Accordingly, it is possible that thetelescopic pipe 2 including the open umbrella canopy 3 can be movedwithin the upright stand pipe 1. The control unit 5 is moving within therecess 15 in the upright stand pipe 1. According to the invention, theopening of the umbrella canopy 3 is uncoupled from the telescopicfunction of the umbrella, thereby—with the connection between theumbrella canopy 3 and the telescopic pipe 2 locked—achieving aparticularly easy adjustment of the tilt of the umbrella canopy 3,namely by simply inserting or pulling the telescopic pipe 2 into or outof the upright stand pipe 1.

In addition, it is possible that the connection between the umbrellacanopy 3 and the telescopic pipe 2 is designed as a lockable joint, thusproviding additional possible adjustments.

Finally, we would like to point out that the exemplary embodimentdescribed above only serves the discussion of the claimed teachingswithout limiting them to the exemplary embodiment.

1. A telescopic umbrella, such as a sunshade, said telescopic umbrellacomprising: a lower upright stand pipe and a moveable and lockabletelescopic pipe arranged in it; an umbrella canopy joined to thetelescopic pipe, the umbrella canopy being configured to be opened orclosed by means of a sheathed cable or Bowden control located inside thepipes; and a control device for the sheathed cable or Bowden control,wherein the control device is attached to the telescopic pipe.
 2. Thetelescopic umbrella according to claim 1, wherein the control device isattached to a lower end of the telescopic pipe.
 3. The telescopicumbrella according to claim 1, wherein a connecting piece is arrangedbetween the telescopic pipe and the control device.
 4. The telescopicumbrella according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the telescopicpipe or the connecting piece is mounted in the upright stand pipe with arolling bearing.
 5. The telescopic umbrella according to claim 3,wherein the connecting piece has an L-shape.
 6. The telescopic umbrellaaccording to claim 3, wherein the connecting piece comprises a reversingunit for the sheathed cable/Bowden control.
 7. The telescopic umbrellaaccording to claim 3, wherein the control device and the connectingpiece are configured to be axially moveable in a recess located in theupright stand pipe along the outside of the upright stand pipe.
 8. Thetelescopic umbrella according to claim 1, wherein the control unitcomprises one of a crank shaft or an electrically drivenreeling/unreeling device or similar mechanism.
 9. The telescopicumbrella according to claim 1, wherein the upright stand pipe and thetelescopic pipe comprise a curvature, and wherein the curvature of bothpipes is approximately the same.
 10. The telescopic umbrella accordingto claim 1, wherein the umbrella canopy is joined to an upper end of thetelescopic pipe.
 11. The telescopic umbrella according to claim 1,wherein a top side of the umbrella canopy is joined to the telescopicpipe.
 12. The Telescopic umbrella according to claim 1, wherein tilt ofthe umbrella canopy can be adjusted and locked in the area of a jointbetween the umbrella canopy and telescopic pipe.
 13. The telescopicumbrella according to claim 1, wherein the telescopic pipe is configuredto be locked with respect to the upright stand pipe using an engagingelement.
 14. The telescopic umbrella according to claim 13, wherein theengaging element comprises a pin.
 15. The telescopic umbrella accordingto claim 13, wherein the engaging element is located on the uprightstand pipe in axial direction and is configured to be engaged with thetelescopic pipe through an opening in the upright stand pipe.
 16. Thetelescopic umbrella according to claim 13, wherein the engaging elementis configured to be engaged or disengaged from the telescopic pipe bymeans of at least one of a screwing movement or an axial movement withrespect to the upright stand pipe.
 17. The telescopic umbrella accordingto claim 16, wherein the engaging element is configured to be engaged ordisengaged from the telescopic pipe by means of movement against theforce of a spring.
 18. The telescopic umbrella according to claim 13,wherein the telescopic pipe includes teeth located on a side of thetelescopic pipe facing the engaging element.
 19. The telescopic umbrellaaccording to claim 18, wherein said teeth comprise a saw-toothedpattern.